'Oops,' Kiwoom in a bind as batting average ranks last; Lee Ju-hyeong departs... "Hamstring injury, 4 weeks to recover" [Gocheok]

*This content was translated by AI.

Lee Ju-hyeong (25, Kiwoom Heroes) has also been lost. Another blow has struck Kiwoom.

Ahead of their home game against the Hanwha Eagles at Seoul's Gocheok Sky Dome on the 12th, Kiwoom removed Lee Ju-hyeong from its first-division roster and called up infielder Choi Jae-young from the Futures League (second division).

The Kiwoom organization stated, "Lee Ju-hyeong experienced pain in his right hamstring during a base-running play in the bottom of the 11th inning of the KT Wiz game on the 9th. A checkup on the 11th revealed a hamstring strain, and recovery is expected to take four weeks."

Manager Seol Jong-jin, who met with reporters before the game, expressed bitterness, saying, "The diagnosis was about three weeks, and I think the player himself will be the most disappointed."

Lee Ju-hyeong is an indispensable asset to Kiwoom's lineup. In 23 games this season, he has recorded a .247 batting average (93 at-bats, 23 hits), one home run, 12 RBIs, 12 runs scored, and four stolen bases (zero caught stealing), with an on-base percentage of .307, a slugging percentage of .430, and an OPS (on-base plus slugging) of .737.

While his statistics may seem somewhat disappointing, he has firmly held the center field position for a total of 171⅔ innings as the leadoff or second hitter.

Earlier, he had missed time from the 6th to the 8th for reserve force training, returning on 'leave for special occasions,' and played for two days after his return before being sidelined again. He had previously been placed on the injured list after complaining of hamstring pain and clutching his thigh following a double in the NC Dinos game on the 21st of last month, but this time his absence from the team will be for a much longer period.

Kiwoom faces ace Ryu Hyun-jin today. The lineup is set as follows: Seon Geon-chang (designated hitter), Im Byung-wook (right fielder), An Chi-hong (second baseman), Choi Ju-hwan (first baseman), Trenton Brooks (left fielder), Yang Hyeon-jong (third baseman), Kwon Hyuk-bin (shortstop), and Kim Geon-hee (catcher).

Starting pitcher Bae Dong-hyun, who transferred from Hanwha to Kiwoom via the second draft in November last year, will take the mound. Bae has gone 4-1 with a 2.34 ERA in eight games, tying for first place in wins.

Although this is his first appearance against his former team since the transfer, Manager Seol expressed no concern. "He may have such feelings in his heart, but he hasn't said so," Seol said. "He wants to pitch hard every game with a sense of responsibility as a starter. Even without being told, he will likely feel the desire to pitch even better in his heart."

Hanwha, who struggled last year with two wins and 14 losses, has already suffered two defeats this season. The game comes right after Hanwha snapped a five-game losing streak. Manager Seol expressed his expectations, saying, "I believe every game is the same. With Bae Dong-hyun, who is tied for first in wins, taking the mound, I expect a good result."

<© STARNEWS. All rights reserved. No reproduction or redistribution allowed.>

*This content was translated by AI.